Inevitable

by Kristen Granata

People often say family is everything. They’re not wrong. Our parents make us into who we are. They sew together the fabric of our lives, weaving our realities, carefully stitching our mindsets. What we think, what we know, what we do and say, all stems from our families.

Graham’s emerald eyes are only filled with understanding. “We want to please our fathers, but that means we can’t be who we really are. We have to choose: be ourselves, or be who they want us to be. You should take pride in the fact that you’re fearless enough to stay true to yourself, but that comes with a shitload of guilt.”

“You dated him because you knew it was a waste of time,” he says, like it’s obvious. “Because it was safe. Because you keep people at arm’s length where they can’t hurt you.”

The movie can’t take you by surprise when you already know how it’s going to end.”

“You’ve got fire in your veins and passion in your heart. Those vapid, trust-fund kids will never be able to hold a candle to you. You’re different.”

“It’s easy to see you’re nothing like them, Eva. You need to find someone who can appreciate all that you are because you’re incredible.” He freezes with lifted eyebrows, looking surprised at his own words, like he didn’t expect them to come out. I didn’t expect them either. No one’s ever seen anything more than what I allow them to see. Nobody’s bothered to look further.

You have to listen in the silence too. That’s when people speak the most.”

“I’m ashamed to want the things I shouldn’t.” “Like what?” “Another life. A fresh start. Doing something selfish for once.” My gaze falls to her lips, and it takes all my power not to claim them. “Wanting you.” Fuck, I shouldn’t have said that. “Why shouldn’t you want me?” Her voice is barely a whisper. “Because I can’t give you what you deserve.” “What if I said that whatever you have to offer would be enough?” She bites her bottom lip, regret churning in her eyes as soon as the honest words leave her mouth. My brave girl.

“Have you ever ridden with a passenger as heavy as me before?” “Don’t worry. I know how to handle a big guy like you.” I wink as I pat the seat behind me. It’s all fun and flirty until he straddles the seat behind me, pushing himself flush to my back, his bulge against my ass. “You sure about that, princess?” The low rumble of his voice in my ear sends goosebumps flying across my skin.

I’ve got a lot of baggage, huh?” “I’ve got baggage too. Everyone does.” He lays back on the grass, folding his arms behind his head, eyes searching the sky. “Don’t be ashamed to unpack it in front of someone.”

Eva doesn’t deserve this. This has nothing to do with her, my father’s vendetta against hers. Yet she’s the one who’ll be caught in the crossfire in the end. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s playing the part of Juliet in this twisted tragedy.

She yanks open the refrigerator door and peers inside. “What are you in the mood for?” You.

“Why don’t you go take that bath you’ve been dying for? I’ll make dinner.” Her eyebrows hit her hairline. “You know how to cook?” “I know how to do lots of things, Eva.” She cranes her neck as she lifts onto her toes and plants a kiss on my cheek.

“Time for what? What are you waiting for?” “I want ... I need to get myself into a better place. My life is a mess. It’s been a mess. I wasn’t prepared for you, but now that you’re here I want to be better. I want to do things right.” He leans in, placing the softest kiss on my lips.

“Graham, I’m falling in love with you.” The words whoosh out of me, and though I’m scared of his reaction, I don’t regret saying it. He blinks a few times, and I hold my next breath waiting for his response. Then he gently tugs one of my legs over his lap until I’m straddled on top of him. He brings both hands up to cup my face and draws me closer. “I’ve already fallen, Eva. I went right over the edge the moment I laid eyes on you. I’m in love with you, and no one in this world can stop us from being together.”

He sits beside me and pulls me onto his lap, cradling me in his massive arms. “We’re almost home.” I squeeze his arms and nuzzle against his neck. “You feel like home to me.” “I love you so much, Eva,” he whispers. “I love you too.”

I belong to her, and she belongs to me. It’s only her—it could only ever be her. We’re written in the stars. And I’m going to love Eva, take care of her, protect her, until I take my last breath.

“You blow me away, Eva. No one compares to you. You’ve changed me, you make me want to be better. But that doesn’t mean shit if you’re not with me. The truth is: I don’t want to live my life without you in it. Please, Eva. Give me another chance. I’ll do it right this time. I wasn’t ready for you when we met, and everything was so wrong, but I promise you, I’ll give you everything I have in me if you say you’ll be mine.”

“I love you, Eva. I’m yours, if you want me.” His voice breaks, and he grips my face in those massive hands. “Please, put me out of this misery and tell me you still love me too. Tell me we can start over.”

“I still love you, Big Guy. I never stopped. I had to stitch every piece of my own damn heart back together, and it’s jagged and bruised, but it belongs to you. Only you.”